Automatic marine hitch



June 1, 1943. c, MARTHEY 2,320,948

AUTOMATIC MARINE HITCH Filed Aug. 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PatentedJune 1, 1943 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC MARINE HITCH ClarenceT. Marthey, Canton, Ohio Application August 17, 1942, Serial No. 455,054

12 Claims.

The invention relates to mechanism for locating and raising sunkenvessels and more particularly to such mechanism carried upon a vesseland designed to be automatically put into operation when the vessel isfound to be in a sinking position.

The invention has for its object the provision for mechanism carriedupon a. vessel and adapted to be quickly and easily placed in a positionto operate automatically to inflate and release a plurality ofinflatable balls or buoys having light cables connected thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic hitchadjacent to the point where each inflatable ball o buoy is released anda headed sleeve designed to slide down the light cable and automaticallyoperate the hitch for carrying heavier cables from a rescue vessel tothe submerged vessel so that the same may be raised thereby.

A further object is to provide mechanism of this kind which will beautomatically operated by compressed air when a series of valvesareoperated.

Another object is to provide an air operated brake upon the drum whichcarries the light cable.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means forinflating the inflatable ball or buoy through a flexible tube connectedto the vessel and then automatically severing the tube so as to releasethe inflated ball and permit it to rise to the surface carrying with itone end of the light cable, the other end of which is connected to thedrum upon the vessel.

A further object is the provision of a mechanical brake upon the drumwhich is automatically released when the inflatable ball starts to'risetoward the surface and automatically applied when the ball reaches thesurface.

A still further object is the provision of mechanism such as abovereferred to all of which is enclosed in a water-tight chamber upon theinside of the ship and having a hinged door opening out through the hullor deck of the ship.

Another object is the provision of mechanism of this character in whichthe pressure within the water-tight chamber may be quickly equalizedwith the water pressure on the outside of the hull of the ship.

A still further object is to provide means for automatically opening thehinged door of the water-tight compartment to release the inflatableball therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means forautomatically movingv the automatic hitch outward through the opendoorway of the water-tight compartment before the inflatable ball isreleased and permitted to rise to the surface.

Another object is the provision of a cylinder operated lock and seal fornormally holding the hinged door of the water-tight compartment inclosed position.

A still further object is the provision of pneumatic means for openingthe hinged door after the lock thereon has been released.

A still further object of the inventionis the provision of an electriclight bulb upon each inflatable ball arranged to automatically light asthe ball rises towards the surface.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from thedrawings and following description or which may be later referred to,may be attained by constructing the improved mecha-. nism in the mannerillustrated in the accompany ing drawings, in which- I v Figure 1 is aperspective view of a submerged vessel equipped with a plurality ofunits of the improved mechanism showing the same in various stages ofoperation from the time the ball is inflated and ready fo release to thetime when the headed sleeve has slid down one of the light cables bygravity and become automatically locked to the hitch;

Fig. 2, an elevation partially in section'of one of the inflatable ballsshowing the manner in which the electric light bulb is automaticallylighted;

Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view throughone of 7 the water-tightcompartments showing the mechanism therein in the normal position;

Fig. 4', a section taken as on the line l4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the automatic hitchand shear blades and associated parts; and

Fig. 6, a section on the line B-6, Fig. 5.

Similar numerals throughout the drawings.

The invention includes a plurality of water tight compartments locatedaround'opposite sides of the hull of the ship, and at each 'end of thedeck if desired, the number of these compartments varying with the sizeand Weight of the vessel.

Each compartment contains one complete unit of the mechanism to whichthe invention perrefer to similar parts tains, including an inflatableball or buoy with a light cable attached thereto and means for inflatingthe ball and releasing it from the shaft together with fluid operatedcylinders for opening the door to the compartment and operating thevarious mechanism therein as will be further described in detail.

For the purpose of the disclosure one complete unit is illustrated anddescribed in detail and it should be understood that any number of theseunits may be used depending upon the size and weight of the vesselequipped with the improved mechanism.

The water-tight compartments, indicated generally at.|0, may be locatedat spaced intervals around each side of the hull ll of the ship and ifdesired at each end of the deck l2, a sufficient number of compartmentsbeing provided to furnish the necessary number of cables to raise thevessel from the ocean bottom.

A door I3 is provided on the outside of each compartment being hingedthereto, preferably at its lower end, as indicated at M and providedwith any suitable means for sealing the same so as to maintain thecompartment in water-tight condition.

This sealing means may be in the form of a rectangular frame I5 slidablymounted around the door opening and having the down turned upper andlower flanges l6 and I1 respectively for engaging behind the upper andlower flange plates I8 and I9 respectively mounted upon. the door, andhaving the vertical flanges 29 at each side of the door opening forslidably engaging behind the flanges 2| carried by the door, the flanges20' being provided with cut-out portions 22 to accommodate the flanges2| when the rectangular frame 15 is moved to the locked position. Thus acombined seal and locking device is provided for the door.

For the purpose of operating the various mechanisms within thecompartment ID a supply pipe 23 is provided, being connected to an aircompressor, compressed air chamber or other source of fluid pressure.

A cylinder 24 is mounted upon the inside of the compartment 19, abovethe door opening, the piston 25 thereof being connected to the slidablerectangular frame l5, as indicated at 25.

Tubes 2'! and 28 respectively connect the upper and lower ends of thecylinder 24 to the fluid pressure pipe 23, through the valves 29 and 35respectively.

A fluid gauge 3| is mounted upon the exteriorof the compartment l0 andconnected by a pipe 32 with the interior of the compartment forindicating the pressure within the compartment. For the purpose ofequalizing the pressure within the compartment with the water pressureoutside of the hull of the ship, a pipe 33 leads from the outside of thehull to the interior of the compartment Ill being controlled by a valve34 and having a fluid gauge. 35 thereon for indicating the waterpressure on the outside of the hull.

An inflatable. ball or buoy 35 is housed within the compartment andconnected by a flexible hose 31 with the fluid pressure. pipe.23,,through a valve 38, a fluid gauge 39 being provided for indicatingthe pressure within the inflatable ball.

A check valve 4| is provided at the point of communication between, the:flexible hose 3'! and the ball 36 to-prevent escape of air from the ballwhen the hose 3'! is severed and a pop valve 4i is provided in theball-for quickly deflating. the same when desired.

An electric light bulb 38 is fixed in the opposite side of theinflatable ball and connected by a wire 39 to the bateries 43 which areslidably mounted within the frame 4| to which the bulb is also connectedas by a wire 42.

The inflatable ball is normally located in the compartment ID with thebulb 38 located at the bottom of the ball so that the batteries 40' areheld out of contact with the contact point 43 at the lower end of theframe 4|. However when the ball floats in the position shown in Fig. 2the batteries 40' by gravity will contact with the contact point 43 soas to illuminate the bulb 38.

A light cable 44 is, connected to the ball at a point diametricallyopposite from the bulb 38 and leads from a drum 45 located within thecompartment l0 and fixed upon a shaft 46 journaled in the bracket 41which is mounted within the compartment.

An air operated brake, indicated generally at 48, is provided upon thedrum 45 and arranged to be released by air pressure from the pipe 49connected to the fluid pressure pipe 23 and provided with a valve 50.

An automatic brake 5| is also provided upon the drum and adapted to beapplied as the ball reaches the surface of the water so as to preventthe light cable 44 from further unwinding or becoming tangled.

This automatic brake 5| is in the form of a metallic brake band locatedaround the drum, the opposite ends thereof being connected as at 52 and53 to a lever 54 on opposite sides of the fulcrum 55 thereof. A tensionspring 55 is connected to the outer end of the lever 54 and to thebracket 41 for normally tightening the bracket band 5| upon the drum.

For the purpose of operating the brake 5| a lever 51 is fulcrumedintermediate its ends upon the bracket 58 depending from the slidableblock 59, which is mounted in the horizontal ways 60. a pulley 6| beingcarried by the bracket 58 and a pulley 62' being mounted on the forwardend of the lever 59.

The cable 44 extends from the drum 45 over the pulley GI and over andaround the pulley 62 and then upward through the automatic hitchindicated generally at 63 and carried by the sliding block 59 the cable44 then extending down and being connected to the inflatable ball 36.

The inner end of the lever 51 is connected, as by a link 54, to a rockerarm 65 upon the rocker shaft 66, and a rocker arm 61 upon such shaft isconnected by the link 58 to the upper end of the brake lever 54 so thatan upward pull upon the forward end of the lever 5! will operate thelever 54 to release the bracket band 5|.

For the purpose of slidably moving the block 59 within the channel ways60 a cylinder 69 is provided the piston 10 thereof being connected to alug 7| upon the top of the block 59.

Flexible hose l2 and 13 lead from the forward and rear ends respectivelyof the cylinder 69 to the fluid pressure pipe 23, being provided withvalves 14 and respectively-1 The automatic hitch, indicated generally at63, includes a substantially U-shape bracket 76 pivotally mounted uponthe block 59 as by the trunnion 11- and pivotally mounted therein, by

s means of the short shafts 18, is a plate 19 provided with a centralopening 80.

A pair of hinged plates 8| are connected to opposite edges of the plate19, as by the hinges 82, and normally held up against the bottom of theplate 79 as by the springs 83.

The plates 8| have cooperating, half round notches 84 in their swingingedges forming a circular opening somewhat smaller than the opening 80 inthe plate 19 and registering concentrically therewith.

For the purpose of regulating the speed. of the drum 45 a governor maybe provided including a steep pitch worm gear 85 mounted upon the drumshaft 46 and meshing with a worm screw 86 upon the vertical shaft 81journaled in the bracket 41, a governor of conventional design,indicated generally at 80, being mounted upon the shaft 81.

In order to sever the flexible hose 3'! when the ball 36 is inflated ashear is provided comprising the stationary blade 89 connected to thecross bar 90, and the movable blade 9| connected to the slidable block59. Each of these blades may be provided with V-shape cutting edges 92and normally the flexible hose 31 is located between the blades as bestshown in Fig. 5.

For the purpose of opening the door I3, when it is desired to operatethe mechanism, a fluid cylinder 93 is located in the lower port on ofthe compartment I having its rear end swivelled as at 94 upon a bracket95 fixed within the compartment.

The plunger 96 of the cylinder is pivotally connected as at 91 to an arm98 connected to the lower portion of the door. Flexible tubes 99 and I00connect the forward and rear ends respectively of the cylinder 93 to thefluid pressure pipe 23 through the valves IM and I02 respectively.

In the operation of the device, in the event a vessel is in sinkingcondition, or in the case of a submarine even after the same has sunk tothe bottom, members of the crew operate each of the units to inflate andrelease the inflatable balls or buoys 36.

First the valve 34 is operated to permit water from outside of the hullto pass through the pipe 33 to the interior of the compartment I0equalizing the pressure therein with the outside water pressure.

The valve 30 is then operated to raise the piston 25 of the cylinder 24sliding the rectangular locking and sealing frame I5 upward so as torelease the same from engagement with the upper and lower flange platesI8 and I9 and the side flanges 2 I.

The valve IOI is then operated. withdrawing the plunger 96 within thecylinder 93 and opening the hinged door I3. The valve 38 is thenoperated admitting air under pressure to the inflatable ball 36,inflating the ball and permitting it to be released from the compartmentthrough the open doorway as shown at 36a in Figure 1.

When the gauge 39 registers suificient pressure within the ball thevalve 15 is opened operating the cylinder 69 to move the sliding block59 outward and at the same time operating the shear blade 9| to severthe flexible hose 3']. The check valve 40 prevents air from escapingfrom the ball when the hose is severed.

The valve 50 is then operated to release the air brake 48, permittingthe drum 44 to unwind as the inflated ball rises to the surface of thewater.

It will be seen that as the ball rises it pulls upward upon the cable 44pulling against the pulley 62 and raising this end of the lever 57, theother end of said lever pulling down upon the link 64 and rocker arm 65rocking the shaft 66 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 4, raising therocker arm 61 and through the link 68 raising the free end or the lever54, against the pull of the spring 66, releasing the brake band 5|.

As each ball 36 reaches the surface the pull upon the forward end of thelever 51 will stop permitting the spring 56 to pull the lever 54downward applying the brake band 5| to the drum and preventing furtherunwinding or tangling of the cable 44.

As the ball 36 is released and starts to rise in the water it willassume the position shown in Fig. 2 the light bulb 38 being at the topof the ball while the batteries 40 will drop by gravity making contactat 43 and lighting the bulb thus indicating the position of the sunkenvessel at night as well as during the day.

Each rescue vessel should be equipped with a plurality of heavy tubularsleeves I04 which may be several feet in length and to each of which isconnected a heavy cable I05.

Each ball 36 is raised out of the Water b the rescue vessel and thelight cable 44 is severed near the ball and one of the sleeves I04 issli-d over the light cable and permitted to drop by gravity to thecorresponding hitch 63 through which the cable 44 is located.

The diameter of the sleeve I04 may be substantially the diameter of theopening 84 formed in the opposed edges of the hinged plates 8I of thehitch and a tapered head I06 is provided at the lower end of the sleeveI04, of such diameter that it will just pass through the opening in theplate I9.

The sleeve will thus by gravity pass through the opening 80 and depressthe hinged plates BI until the head I06 of the sleeve passes downwardbetween said hinged plates at which time the springs will throw theplates back against the underside of the plate I9 the sleeve being thusautomatically locked to the hitch.

When all of the sleeves I04 have beenlowered into position and locked tothe various hitches the heavy cables I05 may then be pulled upward by awindlass or other suitable mechanism upon the rescue vessel raising thesubmerged vessel to the surface.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the-compartment when the door is open so that the ballwill float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum inthe compartment upon which the cable is wound, a hitch in thecompartment comprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair ofhinged plates below said plate and p o d with cooperating, half-roundcut-out portions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller thanthe opening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding thehinged plates against the under side of said plate. said cable extendingthrough the openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having ahead at its lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than theopening in said plate and of larger diameter than the cut-out portionsin the hinged plates, a heavy ca'ble attached to said sleeve, and meansfor slidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it willslide down the light cable by gravity and be automatically locked to thehitch.

2. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken Vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for: the compartment, locking means forthe door, fluid cylinder means for unlocking the door, means foropening.the door, an inflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating theball and releasing it from the compartment when the door is open so thatthe ball will float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball,a drum in the compartment upon which the cable is wound, a hitch in thecompartment comprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair ofhinged plates below said plate and provided with cooperating, half-roundcut-out portions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller thanthe opening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding thehinged plates against the under side of said plate, said cable extendingthrough the openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having ahead at its lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than theopening in said plate and of larger diameter than the cut-out portionsin the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve, and meansfor slidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it willslide down the light cable by gravity and be automatically locked to thehitch.

3. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, fluid cylinder means for openingthe door, an inflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating theball and releasing it from the compartment when the door is open so thatthe ball will float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball,a drum in the compartment upon which the cable is wound, a hitch in thecompartment comprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair ofhinged plates below said plate and provided with cooperating, half-roundcut-out portions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller thanthe opening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding thehinged plates against the under side oi said plate, said cable extendingthrough the openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having ahead at its lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than theopening in said plate and of larger diameter than the cut-out portionsin the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve, and meansfor slidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it willslide down the light cable by gravity and be automatically locked to thehitch.

4. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, fluid cylinder means for unlocking the door, fluid cylindermeans for opening the door, an infiatable ball in the compartment, meansfor inflating the ball and releasing it from the compartment when thedoor is open so that the ball will float to the surface, a light cableattached to the ball, a drum in the compartment upon which the' cable iswound, a hitch in the compartment comprising a plate having an openingtherein, a pair of hinged plates belowsaid plate and provided withcooperating, half-round cut-out portions in their opposed edges formingan opening smaller than the opening in said plate, yielding means fornormally holding the hinged plates against the under side of said plate,said cable extending through the openings in said plates, a heavy,tubular sleeve having a head at its lower end. said head being. ofsmaller diameter than the opening in said plate and: of larger diameterthan the cutout portions in the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached tosaid sleeve, and means for slidably mounting the sleeve upon the lightcable so that it will slide down the light cable by gravity and beautomatically locked to the hitch.

5. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the compartment when the door is open so that theball: will float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, adrum in the compartment upon which the cable is wound, a brake upon thedrum, means controlled by the ball and cable for releasing the brake asthe ball starts to float to the surface, a hitch in the compartmentcomprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair of hinged platesbelow said plate and provided with cooperating, half-round cutoutportions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller than theopening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding the hingedplates against the underside of said plate, said cable extending throughthe openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having a head atits lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than the opening insaid plate and of larger diameter than the cut-out portions in thehinged plates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve, and means forslidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it will slidedown the light cable by gravity and be automatically locked to thehitch.

6. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the compartment when the door is open so that the ballwill float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum inthe compartment upon which the cable is wound, a brake upon the drum,means controlled by the ball and cable for releasing the brake as theballstarts to float to the surface, means for automatically applying thebrake as the ball reaches the surface, a. hitch in the compartmentcomprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair of hinged platesbelow said plate and provided with cooperating, half-round cut-outportions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller than theopening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding the hingedplates against the underside of said plate, said cable extending throughthe openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having a head atits lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than the opening insaid plate and of larger diameter than the cutout portions in the hingedplates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve, and means for slidablymounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it will slide down thelight cable by gravity and be automatically locked to the hitch.

7. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door,,means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, a flexible hose connected to theball, a check valve at the point of communication between the hose andball, means for admitting air under pressure through the hose to inflatethe ball, means for severing the hose to release the ball from thecompartment when the door is open so that the ball will float to thesurface, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum in the compartmentupon which the cable is wound, a hitch in the compartment comprising aplate having an opening therein, a pair of hinged plates below saidplate and provided with cooperating, half-round cut-out portions intheir opposed edges forming an opening smaller than the opening in saidplate, yielding means for normally holding the hinged plates against theunderside of said plate, said cable extending through the openings insaid plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having a head at its lower end,said head being of smaller diameter than the opening in said plate andof larger diameter than the cut-out portions in the hinged plates, aheavy cable attached to said sleeve, and means for slidably mounting thesleeve upon the light cable so that it will slide down the light cableby gravity and be automatically locked to the hitch.

8. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the compartment when the door is open so that the ballwill float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, anelectric light bulb in ball diametrically opposite to the point wherethe cable is attached to the ball, a battery in the ball, gravityoperated means for electrically connecting the battery to the light bulbwhen the ball floats to the surface, a drum in the compartment uponwhich the cable is wound, a hitch in the compartment comprising a platehaving an opening therein, a pair of hinged plates below said plate andprovided with cooperating, half-round cut-out portions in their opposededges forming an opening smaller than the opening in said plate,yielding means for normally holding the hinged plates against theunderside of said plate, said cable extending through the openings insaid plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having a head at its lower end,said head being of smaller diameter than the opening in said plate andof larger diameter than the cut-out portions in the hinged plates, aheavy cable attached to said sleeve and means for slidably mounting thesleeve upon the light cable so that it will slide down the light cableby gravity and be automatically locked to the hitch.

9. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the compartment when the door is open so that the ballwill float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum inthe compartment upon which the cable is wound, a pivoted hitch in thecompartment comprising a pivoted plate having an opening therein, a pairof hinged plates below said plate and provided with cooperating,half-round cut-out portions in their opposed edges forming an Openingsmaller than the opening in said plate, yielding means for normallyholding the hinged plates against the underside of said plate, saidcable extending through the openings in said plates, a heavy, tu-

bular sleevev having a head at its lower end, said head being of smallerdiameter than the opening in said plate and of larger diameter than thecut-out portions in the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached tosaid'sleeve, and means for slidably mounting the sleeve upon the lightcable so that it will slide down the light'cable by gravity and beautomatically locked to the hitch.

10. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels includingacompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in' the compartment, a flexible hose connected to theball, a check valve at the point of communication between the hose andball, means for admitting air under pressure through the hose to inflatethe ball, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum in the compartmentupon which the cable is wound, a hitch slidably mounted in thecompartment and comprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair ofhinged plates below said plate and provided with cooperating, half-roundcutout portions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller thanthe opening in the plate, yielding means for normally holding the hingedplates against the underside of said plate, said cable extending throughthe openings in said plates, a blade carried by the slidable hitch forsevering said hose, fluid cylinder means for sliding the hitch out ofthe compartment and simultaneously operating the blade to sever the hoseand release the ball so that it will float to the surface, said cableextending through the openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleevehaving a head at its lower end, said head being of smaller diameter thanthe opening in said plate and of larger diameter than the cut-outportions in the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve,and means for slidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so thatit will slide down the light cable by gravity and be automaticallylocked to the hitch.

11. Apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a vessel, a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, said locking means including a rectangu lar, flanged frameslidably mounted within the compartment around the door opening, flangesat the top, bottom and sides of the door cooperating with said flangedframe, fluid cylinder means for sliding the frame out of engagement withsaid flanges for unlocking the door, means for opening the door, aninflatable ball in the compartment, means for inflating the ball andreleasing it from the compartment when the door is open so that the ballwill float to the surface, a light cable attached to the ball, a drum inthe compartment upon which the cable is wound, a hitch in thecompartment comprising a plate having an opening therein, a pair ofhinged plates below said plate and provided with cooperating, half-roundcut-out portions in their opposed edges forming an opening smaller thanthe opening in said plate, yielding means for normally holding thehinged plates against the underside of said plate, said cable extendingthrough the openings in said plates, a heavy, tubular sleeve having ahead at its lower end, said head being of smaller diameter than theopening in said plate and of larger diameter than the cut-out portionsin the hinged plates, a heavy cable attached to said sleeve, and meansfor slidably mounting the sleeve upon the light cable so that it willslide down the light cable'by gravity and be automatically locked to thehitch.

12. Apparatus for locating; and raising sunken vessels including acompartment in a Vessel. a door for the compartment, locking means forthe door, means for equalizing the pressure within the compartment with'the pressure outside of the vessel, means for unlocking the door, meansfor opening the door, an inflatable ball in. the compartment, means forinflating the ball and releasing it from the compartment when the dooris open so that the ball will float to the surface, a light cableattached to the ball, a drum in the compartment upon which the cable isWound, a hitch in the compartment comprising a plate having an openingtherein, a pair of hinged plates below said plate and provided withcooperating, half-round cut-out portions in their opposed edges formingan opening smaller than the opening in said plate, yielding means fornormally holding the hinged plates against the underside of said plate,said cable extending through the openings in said plates, a heavy,tubular sleeve having a head at its lower end, said head being ofsmaller diameter than the opening in said plate and of larger diameterthan the cut-out portions in the hinged plates, a heavy cable attachedto said sleeve, and means for slidably mounting the sleeve upon thelight cable so that it Willslide down the light cable by gravity and beautomatically locked to the hitch.

CLARENCE T. MARTHEY.

